The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) held a bilateral meeting last week to review the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two tax authorities which has been in effect since February 2015.

Speaking on Friday during the meeting at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre, MRA’s Commissioner General, Tom Gray Malata, lauded the significance of the meeting citing the mutual benefits that have been enjoyed by the two countries.

“The MoU that exists between the ZIMRA and MRA has over the years provided a platform allowing for the two authorities to better handle key issues such as cross-border trade, intelligence, investigation and domestic taxes management among others. As MRA we have greatly benefited from this bilateral agreement,” said Mr. Malata.  

“Moving forward, there is need to improve on information exchange taking full advantage of technology that allows for systems interface between the two administrations”, he added.

The Acting Commissioner General of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Mr Happias Kuzvinzwa, who led the Zimbabwe delegation expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss and review the MoU. He said the bilateral meeting was a huge step towards improving techniques, trade cooperation and capacity building between the two administrations.

“ZIMRA and MRA share common ground as we both develop strategies to facilitate trade and offer advice to government on tax issues. We have put together a very appealing strategy to help with the implementation of this MoU. However, it is the outcome and the impact that will be of great value”, said Mr Kuzvinzwa.  

The two day meeting discussed Domestic taxes issues such as Double Taxation Agreements (DTA), VAT management and taxation of Small and medium Enterprises (SME’s). The meeting also discussed cooperation in cross-border trade, joint capacity building and training programs on Customs technical areas, exchange of information as well as trade facilitation interventions.

The Zimbabwe team comprised the Acting Commissioner of Customs and Excise Mr. Adrian P. Swarres, the Acting Commissioner of Domestic Taxes Mrs. Regina Chinamasa and the Head of International Relations Mr. Jephat Mujuru.

The MRA team also comprised of Commissioner of Customs Mr Fatch Valeta, Commissioner of Domestic taxes, Mrs Nellie Jimu, Head of Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma and other technical teams.